PATAUA ESTUARY REMNANTS

Transcription

1 Occasional species include tawapou, ti kouka, karaka, kahikatea, ponga, mahoe and whau. (c) The remnants to the east along the coast consist of kanuka/manuka pohutukawa coastal forest, with the occasional puriri and ti kouka. (d) The larger remnant to the south-east is dominated by kanuka forest. (e) The adjacent cliffs feature pohutukawa. Significant flora Calystegia tugoriorum (Regionally Significant), tawapou (Regionally Significant). Kukupa (Gradual Decline). The remnants contain old-growth pohutukawa forest, which is a rare forest type in Northland and a nationally threatened habitat type. Representative site for type (a) kanuka/manuka pohutukawa coastal forest, and type (c) pohutukawa coastal forest. Presence of a threatened bird species, and two plants of regional significance. 8.1 ha at this site are administered by the Department of Conservation. PATAUA ESTUARY REMNANTS Survey no. Q07/011 Survey date 26 June 1997 Grid reference Q , Q , Q , Q , Q , Q , Q , Q , Q ha (107 ha forest, 2 ha shrubland) Altitude 0 80 m asl (a) Kanuka/manuka shrubland on hillslope (b) Kauri coastal forest on ridge (c) Totara kanuka/manuka forest on hillslope (d) Kanuka/manuka kauri totara forest on hillslope (e) Kanuka/manuka forest on hillslope (f) Kanuka/manuka tanekaha totara forest on hillslope (g) Totara forest on hillslope Coastal hills of Waipapa Terrane greywacke adjoining the Pataua Estuary. Series of small coastal remnants bordering the Pataua Estuary. (a) The northern side of Pataua Estuary contains three small coastal forest remnants. The remnant on the south-western side of the site consists of kanuka/ manuka shrubland, with frequent puriri, pohutukawa, totara, kohekohe, kowhai, and tree ferns. Several kahikatea are present near the estuary. (b) The northern remnant is dominated by kauri secondary forest. Totara is frequent. 270.

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3 Type (a) vegetation is repeated on the edge of this remnant, and also contains frequent puriri, tanekaha, and totara. Type (b) vegetation is repeated in the small remnant to the south of the above area. Frequent species include totara, kanuka/manuka, rimu, kowhai, puriri, kahikatea, and tree ferns. (c) Several relatively large remnants occur on the south-east side of the estuary. The remnant at the end of Hutchinson Road consists primarily of totara kanuka/manuka secondary forest, with frequent rimu and tanekaha. Species which occur occasionally include rewarewa, taraire, karaka, kowhai, kahikatea, kohekohe, and kauri. Within this area is a small pocket of type (b) forest on the ridge, with low nubers of rimu and tanekaha. (d) The eastern side of this remnant contains a small area of kanuka/manuka kauri totara secondary forest, with frequent puriri, kowhai, and pohutukawa, and occasional rimu. (e) Just south of this area is a remnant dominated by kanuka/manuka secondary forest. Frequent species include kowhai, rimu, kauri, tanekaha, and totara, with occasional rewarewa and kohekohe. (f) This remnant also contains an area of kanuka/manuka tanekaha totara forest, with some rimu and kauri. (g) South-west from this area is a long, narrow remnant adjacent to the estuary which is dominated by totara secondary forest. Kanuka/manuka and tanekaha are frequent throughout. The small remnants on the western side of the estuary are dominated by type (c) vegetation. Associated species include tanekaha, rimu, kauri, and tree fern, with kahikatea, northern rata, puriri, rewarewa, and pohutukawa less common. Type (a) shrubland is also repeated in some areas. NI brown kiwi (Serious Decline) recorded in 1993, kukupa (Gradual Decline), tui. The snail Liarea turriculata Manaia (Range Restricted) is also present. Banded kokopu (Regionally Significant) and shortfin eel present in the forest stream at the end of Hutchinson Rd. Presence of threatened species. The remnants are the few estuarine forest areas left on the Pataua Estuary, and provide an important buffer function. Representative site for type (b) kauri coastal forest, and type (d) kanuka/ manuka kauri totara forest. PATAUA ESTUARY Survey no. Q07/012 Survey date 26 June 1997 Grid reference Q ha Altitude Sea level (a) Mangrove forest on estuary 272.

4 Estuary. (a) The site is composed primarily of mangrove forest, with frequent raupo and jointed twig rush on the edges. Oioi occurs in low amounts on the edges of the habitat. Grey duck (Nationally Endangered), matuku (Nationally Endangered), reef heron (Nationally Endangered), Caspian tern (Nationally Vulnerable), whitefronted tern (Gradual Decline), banded rail (Sparse), black shag (Sparse), little black shag (Sparse), NI fernbird (Sparse), pied shag (Sparse), variable oystercatcher (Regionally Significant), Australasian harrier, bar-tailed godwit, black-backed gull, little shag, NZ kingfisher, paradise shelduck, pied stilt,. 273

5 pukeko, red-billed gull, Pied oystercatcher, welcome swallow, white-faced heron. Representative site supporting threatened and regionally significant species. A good example of an estuarine habitat. 8.1 ha are a Recreation Reserve administered by the Department of Conservation. TAIHARURU ESTUARY Survey no. Q07/013 Survey date 5 June 1997 Grid reference Q , Q ha (379 ha estuary, 5 ha wetland) Altitude sea level (a) Mangrove forest on estuary (b) Oioi saltmarsh on estuary (c) Manuka raupo association adjacent to estuary (d) Cyperus sp. association adjacent to estuary (e) Oioi sea rush saltmarsh on estuary Estuary. (a) The majority of the site consists of mangrove forest of up to 3 m in height. Oioi and sea rush are frequent on the edges of the mangrove areas. (b) In the north-western corner of the estuary, there is a small area of oioi saltmarsh on the western side of the road, adjacent to the shrubland area. Raupo and pampas can be found on the edges of the area. (c) On the eastern side of the estuary, adjacent to the Taiharuru Village, is a small area of intermediate freshwater wetland, dominated by raupo and manuka. Kuta is frequent within this area, with ti kouka in low numbers. Mexican devil is present within the wetland area, as well as pampas, kikuyu, and wild ginger on the edges of the habitat. (d) Southwards, the wetland becomes dominated by Cyperus sp., with frequent raupo, sea rush, and kuta. Oioi and harakeke grow in small amounts on the edges. (e) This area then merges back into saltmarsh, with sea rush and oioi the dominant species. Cyperus sp. is also present. Grey duck (Nationally Endangered), matuku (Nationally Endangered), reef heron (Nationally Endangered), Caspian tern (Nationally Vulnerable), northern NZ dotterel (Nationally Vulnerable), banded dotterel (Gradual Decline), whitefronted tern (Gradual Decline), banded rail (Sparse), black shag (Sparse), little black shag (Sparse), pied shag (Sparse), spotless crake (Sparse), variable oystercatcher (Regionally Significant), Australasian harrier, bar-tailed godwit, black-backed gull, little shag, NZ kingfisher, paradise shelduck, pied stilt, 274.

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7 pukeko, red-billed gull, pied oystercatcher, welcome swallow, white-faced heron. NI fernbird (Sparse) reported. An important habitat for birds, including many threatened and one regionally significant species. A good example of an estuarine habitat. Representative site for type (a) mangrove forest, type (c) manuka raupo association, and type (e) oioi sea rush saltmarsh. Only record of type (c) in the Ecological District. 3.4 ha at this site are a reserve administered by the Department of Conservation. WHANUI BUSH Survey no. Q07/014 Survey date 29 July 1997 Grid reference Q ha (736 ha forest, 35 ha shrubland) Altitude m asl (a) Kanuka/manuka totara forest on hillslope (b) Taraire towai forest in gully (c) Totara forest on hillslope (d) Kanuka/manuka towai forest on hillslope (e) Kanuka/manuka shrubland on hillslope (f) Towai forest on hillslope (g) Totara towai forest on hillslope (h) Kauri rimu forest on ridge (i) Kahikatea totara forest on hillslope Deeply incised valleys in hill country of Waipapa Terrane greywacke. (a) Kanuka/manuka totara secondary forest is the dominant vegetation type in the area around Whanui Trig, as well as on the north-east side of Oyster Road. Associated species occur in varying frequencies throughout this area, and include towai, nikau, rimu, matai, rewarewa, taraire, puriri, tanekaha, miro, karaka, kohekohe, kauri, and kahikatea. (b) Gullies within this area consist of taraire towai secondary forest, with frequent karaka and rewarewa, and occasional rimu, tanekaha, kauri, tawa, and nikau. (c) To the east towards Waiparera, the forest is totara-dominant, with kanuka/ manuka and puriri also present. The east-facing slopes at the end of Ross Road are dominated by type (a) vegetation, with lesser amounts of (d) kanuka/manuka towai forest, and kanuka/manuka shrubland. Type (a) vegetation is repeated again off the end of Owhiwa Road. Frequent species within this area include towai, taraire, kahukatea, rimu, kauri, and tanekaha, with occasional puriri and rewarewa. 276.

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9 Type (e) vegetation occurs on the edges of this area. (f) Moving south from the end of Owhiwa Road, the area around the high point is dominated by towai forest, with frequent taraire, rimu, tawa, tanekaha, and totara. Rewarewa, kauri, puriri, and kahikatea are less common. (g) Secondary forest in the Rukuwai Stream area is dominated by totara and towai, with frequent taraire, rimu, puriri, and kanuka/manuka, and occasional rewarewa, kauri, tanekaha, and northern rata. (h) Within this area is a small piece of kauri rimu secondary forest, with occasional tanekaha, puriri, kahikatea, and rewarewa. (i) The southern side of the site contains a small piece of kahikatea totara secondary forest, with puriri, rimu, and swamp maire in low numbers. Type (d) vegetation is repeated in the area around Owhiwa. Other species present include totara, mamaku, puriri, tanekaha, rewarewa, and tawa. Type (e) vegetation is also repeated in this area. NI brown kiwi (Serious Decline) present in very low numbers in 2004 (R. Pierce, pers. comm.), kukupa (Gradual Decline) and tui utilise this area, as well as the more common forest birds. NI tomtit (Regionally Significant) are present in the area around Oyster Road. NI kaka (Nationally Endangered), bellbird (Regionally Significant) and red-crowned kakariki (Regionally Significant) visit the area. Banded kokopu (Regionally Significant) have been recorded in streams in the area. The snail Amborhytida dunniae (Gradual Decline). A large, contiguous area, which provides habitat for threatened and regionally significant species. The site links other large forest remnants in the area. Representative site for type (b) taraire towai forest, and type (i) kahikatea totara forest ha at this site are protected; 41.8 ha by a Queen Elizabeth II National Trust covenant and 50.5 ha are a reserve administered by the Department of Conservation. MANGANESE POINT COASTAL FOREST REMNANT Survey no. Q07/016 Survey date 27 June 1997 Grid reference Q ha Altitude 0 80 m asl (a) Puriri taraire coastal forest on steep hillslope Headland of Waipapa Terrane greywacke at the mouth of Parua Bay within Whangarei Harbour. A small coastal forest remnant on the Manganese Point headland. 278.

10 (a) Puriri and taraire are the dominant species, with frequent kohekohe, pohutukawa, karaka, and kowhai. Rewarewa and totara are present in low numbers. Kukupa (Gradual Decline). Presence of a threatened species. One of the few remaining coastal remnants on the Whangarei Harbour. Representative site, and the only record of puriri taraire coastal forest in the Ecological District.. 279

11 AWAHOA BAY BEACH & COASTAL REMNANTS Survey no. Q07/113 Survey date 13 March 2004 Grid reference Q , Q , Q ha (7 ha forest, 4 ha duneland) Altitude sea level 280.

12 (a) Coastal sandfield on foredune (b) Pohutukawa coastal forest on cliffs Holocene foredune, and coastal cliffs of Waipapa Complex greywacke and chert. (a) The sheltered sandy beach and dune is approximately 500 m long. The beach is bordered by kikuyu, with the occasional pohutukawa. (b) The two forest remnants on either side of the beach are dominated by pohutukawa, with frequent houpara and harakeke. Significant site for roosting waders, with high numbers of birds recorded there in Wader count was as follows: two banded dotterels (Gradual Decline), 16 northern New Zealand dotterel (Sparse); four pied shag (Sparse); two variable oystercatchers (Regionally Significant); bar-tailed godwit; and South Island pied oystercatcher. Presence of threatened and regionally significant species. Important high-tide roost site for waders that use Taiharuru Estuary (Q07/013), and possibly Pataua Estuary (Q07/012). PARAUWANUI BEACH Survey no. Q07/114 Survey date 12 July 2004 Grid reference Q ha Altitude sea level (a) Spinifex grassland on dunes (b) Exotic grass spp. grassland on dunes Holocene transverse dunefield. A large area of dune land running almost the length of Parauwanui Beach. (a) Spinifex grassland dominates the majority of the site, covering the whole of the foredune and extending into the hind dune in places. The threatened plant Pimelea arenaria is growing in good numbers throughout this area. There are small amounts of pingao throughout the dunes (some planted), as well as exotic grasses, dandelion, and gazania. (b) Exotic grass spp. dominate the majority of the hind dune. P. arenaria is also found in numerous places. Gazania occurs in large patches or scattered through the grasses, and there is also the occasional.. 281

13 Significant flora Large area of Pimelea arenaria (Gradual Decline) on the dunes, with at least 600 plants recorded in The northern North Island P. arenaria appears to be different from that further south, and this site contains the largest known population of this northern taxon. Pingao (Gradual Decline). Northern NZ dotterel (Nationally Vulnerable), variable oystercatcher (Regionally Significant). One of the largest and least modified dune habitats in the Ecological District. Representative site for type (a) spinifex grassland. Presence of threatened and regionally significant species. 6 ha at this site are protected by a Queen Elizabeth II National Trust covenant. 282.

14 TAIHARURU HEAD COASTAL REMNANTS Survey no. Q07/115 Survey date 3 December 2004 Grid reference Q , Q , Q ha Altitude 0 40 m asl. 283

15 (a) Pohutukawa coastal forest on headland Coastal cliffs of Waipapa Complex greywacke. Narrow strip of coastal forest around the headland from Taiharuru Bay to the mouth of the Taiharuru Estuary. (a) The forest is dominated by an open canopy of pohutukawa forest, with frequent houpara and harakeke, and occasional kowhai, ti kouka, and kowharawhara. Not surveyed. Representative site, and an example of a nationally rare forest type. PARUA BAY REMNANTS Survey no. Q07/116 Survey date 31 January December 2004 Grid reference Q , Q , Q , Q , Q ha (44 ha forest; 1 ha wetland; 2 ha estuary) Altitude 0 40 m asl (a) Rimu totara coastal forest on hillslope (b) Pohutukawa totara coastal forest on hillslope (c) Pohutukawa puriri taraire coastal forest on hillslope (d) Raupo wetland on flat (e) Kuta Baumea juncea wetland on flat (f) Mangrove forest on estuary Coastal cliffs of Waipapa Complex greywacke. (a) This vegetation type is found in the northern part of the site, including the area to the north of Whangarei Heads Road. Frequently associated species include kauri and puriri, with occasional tanekaha, kahikatea, rewarewa, karaka, taraire and nikau. (b) Pohutukawa totara coastal forest dominates towards the coast, with rimu frequent. (c) The coastal forest adjacent to the jetty is composed of pohutukawa puriri taraire forest with frequent totara and kauri, and occasional rimu, mamaku, kohekohe, kanuka/manuka, kowhai, kahikatea and ti kouka. (d) On the eastern side of the site is a small raupo wetland area with occasional manuka and ti kouka. (e) The raupo wetalnd grades into kuta Baumea juncea wetland, which in turn grades into type (f) mangrove forest. 284.

16 Kukupa (Gradual Decline), NI fantail, grey warbler, NZ kingfisher, tui.. 285

17 An example of a nationally rare habitat type, and one of the few coastal remnants still on the Whangarei Harbour. A representative site for types (a), (b), (c) and (e) and the only records of these ecological units in the Ecological District. Presence of a threatened bird species. KINGS KAURI SCENIC RESERVE Survey no. Q07/117 Survey date 2 December 2004 Grid reference Q ha Altitude m asl (a) Kauri rimu forest on hillslope (b) Kanuka/manuka totara forest on hillslope Hillcountry of Waipapa Terrane greywacke. (a) The majority of the site consists of kauri rimu forest with occasional rewarewa, puriri and taraire. Species present in low numbers include miro, white maire, mamaku, towai and totara. (b) Kanuka/manuka totara forest is found around the edges of the site, with rimu, puriri, mamaku, tanekaha and nikau in low numbers. Significant flora Willow-leaved maire (Gradual Decline). Kukupa (Gradual Decline), and the snail Amborhytida dunniae (Serious Decline). Presence of threatened plant and animal species. Representative site for type (a) kauri rimu forest. 3.5 ha at this site are a Scenic Reserve administered by the Department of Conservation. BEASLEY ROAD REMNANT Survey no. Q07/118 Survey date 3 December 2004 Grid reference Q ha (12 ha forest; 3 ha shrubland) Altitude m asl (a) Pinus sp. forest on hillslope 286.

18 (b) (c) Kanuka/manuka shrubland on hillsope Manuka shrubland on hillslope Hill of deeply weathered Taurikura Subgroup rhyolitic breccia. (a) The site is predominantly Pinus sp. forest with an open canopy, with a subcanopy of native species. (b) Within the site there are areas of kanuka/manuka shrubland, with frequent mapou and Coprosma spp., and occasional mingimingi, totara, mamaku, ponga and ti kouka. (c) There are also areas of gumland vegetation dominated by an open canopy of manuka, with occasional mingimingi, ti kouka and ponga.. 287

19 Significant flora Celmisia adamsii var. rugulosa (Range Restricted) is present in the kanuka/ manuka shrubland and the manuka gumland. None recorded. This is the only area of gumland vegetation and the only example of this geological type in this Ecological District. Also has the only record of the threatened plant Celmisia adamsii var. rugulosa in the Ecological District. Representative site for type (c) vegetation. 288.